The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-09-22

ponds either directly or indirectly, the
success Of every other enterprise, there
has been, from time immemo1ial, a
disposition to regard with no little
contempt the farming community.
This degradation is accountable, large
ly, to the fact ignorance and illiteracy
predominant so extensively among
farmers. In order, therefore, to raise
this time-honored calling to that dig
nifty that it rightly deserves, the farm
ers must improve their intellectual, as
we'll as their financial condition. There
is an idea that education is not essen
tial to successful farming, and [ ad-
NIT that, ordinarily, literary culture
is not so necessary to practical farm
ing, yet for a man to become a sue
| c~essful, scientific farmer in the strict
sense, a thorough education is abso-
lutely necessary. But perhaps the
main reason why there should be a
general diffusion of knowledge among
farmers is that they may command
greater respect and consideration, and
| exert more influence in the affairsQf
Qdr government. :
i [ propose in the next place to dis
| cuss, briefly, what in my opinion
should be the political bearing Of the
Farmers Alliance. I'VE do not by
any means claimI to- be a political
party. 1t will pot come within the
province of this organization to inter
fere in the least with established politi-
cal parties Jbut while it claims to be
strictly nen-partisan in politics, and
while no mar will be excluded from
membership on the ground of having
affiliated with any political party, yet
we, as an order, cannot afford to be
Indifferent to this important subject.
We cannot be unmindful as to whom
we assist in nominating and electlng
to fill positions of public trust. In
this age of political corruption and
party rings it is too generally the case
that the best interest of the people is
utterly ignored. 1t behooves us as a
body of organized men to exert our
influence in securing the nomination
and election of men to Office who are
in sympathy with us and our interest.
We should endeavor always to assist
in electing men to public office who
are thoroughly capable and honest,
without too much regard to party
lines-men who have the interest of
the country at heart, and whose in
tegrity and character and exalted
sense Of duty will place them at once
above the reach of brides from cap
italists and corportions.
[ come now to the consideration of
what l regard as the most important
feature of the Alliance. To improve
our condition, financially, is the pri-
mary object Of this organization. The
experience of the past several years
confirms, beyond question, the fact
that it is utterly impossible for us to
better our material condition SO long
as we continue to live under the pres
ent CALLING system.
Perhaps ] have said enough on this
occasion, but before [ conclude permit
me to urge earnestly upon you, indi-
vidually and collectively, to be true to
the obligations you have assumed.
Let it no longer be said of the farmers
that they have no confidence in each
other, and are incapable of organiza.
ton. Let me insist that each indi-
vidual member take an active, person
al interest in the success Of the order.
Be punctual in attending your ALI
ances. Already unkind criticism has
been made in regard to our order.
Already the prediction has been made
that it will have only a short existence
and that it will accomplish nothing.
There is no doubt but what we have
our enemies. There is no doubt but
what there are men who would laugh
and rejoice at our failure. There are
those, no doubt, who will not hesitate
to do all in their power to retard the
progress and defeat the objects we
have in view. But let us not be dis
couraged at opposition. We may ex-
pect that: All great movements and
reformations have been sternly op-
posed. Only let us be true to our
selves, and to the sacred principles of
our grand order, and we are destined
to be successful and prominently
successful.
Since the adoption of the present
methods of seed-testing in the national